Nicola Young’s journey into leadership was never defined by a single straight path. Instead, it has been shaped by curiosity, resilience and an instinct to trust her own judgement. Today, as a trailblazer within the beauty and skincare industry, she is applying decades of experience across media, marketing and beauty to champion a more thoughtful, science-led approach to skin health.
Growing up in Datchet, just outside of Windsor, Nicola was raised alongside her younger brother Mark, with her childhood shaped by a simple but enduring philosophy: work hard, enjoy life and value the people around you. She began her education at Brigidene Convent before moving to Oakdene as a boarder. While academia was not her primary passion at the time, the discipline, teamwork and resilience she developed through sport quietly shaped the leadership style she carries today.
Like many early careers, Nicola’s began with a variety of jobs in retail, bars and restaurants, driven largely by her determination to earn her own money and gain independence. At 19, she moved to Australia on a working visa; an experience that broadened her perspective and gave her a sense of independence and adventure.
Her professional career began in advertising, where she started as a secretary, following in her father’s footsteps, as he also worked in the industry. What began as an entry-level position soon became the launchpad for a dynamic and evolving career. Through determination and a natural instinct for brand building, Nicola progressed into senior marketing positions, including Head of Marketing at JazzFM, Director of Marketing at Magic Radio, and later Group Director of Marketing at Global Radio. In this role, she oversaw marketing across some of the UK’s most recognisable media brands, including Capital, Heart and LBC.
These roles offered more than professional advancement; they shaped her understanding of how to build a powerful brand – teaching her how to connect with audiences, communicate a brand’s identity clearly and create long-term engagement.
In addition, Nicola has been recognised for her work. In 2015, she was named in the Vision 100 list by Marketing Week, highlighting her as one of the UK’s most influential and forward-thinking marketing leaders. Earlier in her career, she was also recognised by the Marketing Week Effectiveness Awards, reflecting the commercial impact and creativity of the campaigns she supported for JazzFM and Magic 105.4. These accolades highlight her role in developing high-performing marketing strategies within the UK media sector.
She later transitioned into the beauty industry, joining The Estée Lauder Companies as Director of Media, alongside several consultancy roles along the way. The move introduced her to the fast-evolving world of skincare and wellness — an industry where innovation and storytelling intersect.
“The beauty industry is booming,” she says, “but it is also saturated with copycat products, formulas and ingredients. There is a real opportunity to apply a true health mindset to skin — one that is grounded in science, not fads and false promises.”
She believes that consumers are becoming increasingly informed and are looking beyond marketing promises.
This evolution is bringing beauty closer to the worlds of wellness and science as well as a space where Nicola believes brands must operate with transparency and integrity to build lasting trust. It also creates an opportunity for companies to deliver meaningful results while building genuine, long-term relationships with their customers.
“We don’t believe in gimmicks or quick fixes that often create more problems than they solve,” Nicola says. “We believe in intelligent formulations that support the skin, so it performs better every single day.”
“I’ve been fortunate to be influenced by many remarkable women throughout my career; there are so many…”
Among those she credits as inspirational figures include Andria Vidler, Philippa Brown, Stevie Spring, Karen Stacey, Tamara Littleton, Susan Brown, Fiona Jull, Maggie McNamara and Stephanie Sherman.
Leadership, for Nicola, is rooted in trust and collaboration. She believes the best way to foster innovation is to hire experts, give them the freedom to do their best work and support them in bringing new ideas to life. She also recognises that confidence in leadership is something that evolves with experience. Earlier in her career she sometimes struggled with self-doubt, but over time she has learned to trust her instincts and focus on the contribution she can make.
Outside the boardroom, she describes herself simply as a mother, partner and friend. Her two sons, William and Sidney, along with her partner Graham and close circle of friends, are the people who keep her grounded when professional pressures intensify.
Today she sees herself in a season of growth and balance, enjoying family life while continuing her leadership journey within the beauty industry. For Nicola, success is not measured solely by titles or financial milestones. Instead, it is defined by creating something meaningful: raising standards for honesty, leadership and how women build businesses.
Her advice for those entering the industry reflects the lessons she has learned along the way:
Be brave, learn constantly, trust your instincts and surround yourself with people who inspire you.
Because, as Nicola Young’s journey shows, the most impactful careers are rarely linear — they are built through resilience, curiosity and the courage to keep moving forward.
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